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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICE-LEARNING
Is service-learning the same thing as community service or an
internship?
No, Service-learning is different from:
Volunteerism
…where the primary emphasis is on the service being provided
and the primary intended beneficiary is clearly the service recipient.
Service-learning aims to be reciprocal by allowing all participants to
be teachers and learners, and for all to serve and be served (Sigmon,
1979).
Community Service
…where the primary focus [is] on the service being provided as well
as the benefits the service activities have on the recipients. The
students receive some benefits by learning more about how their
service makes a difference without a learning agenda for the
students. Service-learning clearly outlines the learning goals for the
service.
Internships
…[that] engage students in service activities primarily for the
purpose of providing students with hands-on experiences that
enhance their learning or understanding of issues relevant to a
particular area of study without civic learning. Service-learning
includes a focus on civic responsibility.
Field Education
…[that] provides students with co-curricular service opportunities
that are related, but not fully integrated, with their formal academic
studies. Students perform the service as a part of a program that is
designed primarily to enhance students’ understanding of a field of
study, while also providing substantial emphasis on the service being
provided. The service-learning framework promotes civic goals,
which are often missing in field education.
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